--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, "Mark in Lakewood, CO" <beeser750@...> wrote:
>
> Yoiks! Paid $4K, then put $3K into it? Has he/they been doing the work themselves? I can't imagine where you'd spend $3K on a $4K W123 (which at that price, should be all ready to go).
>
>
> Maybe on the biodiesel conversion...?
I know...painful, right? I can sort of see why he's frustrated, but he's paid a mechanic to do everything except the new glow plugs (which we did together, and that's what started my love affair...or disease...however you see it lol), even put in a new air filter. oy.
It *is* a wagon, and it's got a (single tank) Lovecraft WVO system in it already (which looks pretty janky to me, but seems to work ok).
He bought it while in Cali, didn't have it checked out before the purchase (yes, we all learn this lessons so painfully, we just got royally ripped off on a Saab) and then the rear axle needed replacing on the way home to Santa Fe...somewhere in AZ. I think that was $1500 in "emergency repair".
The rest was probably: tires, valve adjustment, compression test (not stellar, but decent for this altitude he was told), new motor mounts, new battery, fuel filter maint, and some other stuff I don't know about...chasing cold start problems and a rough idle/engine shake (he still has these symptoms)
It really seems like some inexpensive well placed DIY repairs would put the wagon in decent shape. He did get it started today after 4 solid tries, so I think he's hopeful once again ;) Even if it's another $1k....hopefully it's all (or nearly so) DIY level stuff. I'll walk him through getting on the list and he can speak for himself :)
We all love to get good deals on these cars...I paid $1850, then $200 to have it checked top to bottom. She's got some dents, interior and electrical, and she'll probably never again look totally sexy and sharp...but I'm betting (almost literally here) that she'll be solid. So far I have between $3000-$3500 in her and a laundry list of exciting nerdy things to keep me busy.
Spring...I yearn for you!
Caitlin
Santa Fe
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